$1000 - Page 2

[zebra15]

Since you are a teacher ... I was able to make more $$ subbing than working as a 'teacher'.  I couldn't get a FT teaching position but I was able to get on the subbing roster and there was work almost every day (I was a bit particular about what classes/ages I subbed for , If I didnt care I could've worked every day).   Just something to think about.

Also can you tutor   IDK what grades you teach but people around here are always looking for reading and math tutors as well as SAT/ACT tutors and college prep stuff.

As for subbing, if you cant get on the public school list, dont forget about charter schools private schools and places like that.    Also look at 'tutoring' at places like Kumon, etc.

[mamarhu]

Two suggestions:

In my state, there is a serious need for respite providers for kids with developmental disabilities. Typically, it is for a weekend, paying hourly, for 24-48 hours. Adds up! Licensing process is minimal, and pay is better than most daycare. Need a spare bedroom if you are going to do overnights (my preference), but shorter babysitting is also welcome in my experience. Look into it through the state Department of Developmental Disabilities (may be called something else in your area).

Another idea is overnight "daycare" (nightcare?). An unmet need in some areas. My friend set up 2 cribs in her bedroom, advertized at local hospitals to the working mom single nurses, etc., and made a couple thousand a month. In my state, you don't need a daycare license if you accept the children of only one family, but check into local laws.
 

[Katrinaquerida]

Originally Posted by SunRise 

I have a teacher friend in CNY - not sure if your district has these opportunities (and I know ours have been cut, so there are less now then there were before) but ... She used to sign up for EVERY offered Teacher Development course in the summer time. Or she would teach it. These are paid positions, both as teacher and as "teacher particiapant".  So she earned extra money during the summer and it also upped her annual salary to the point where she couldn't take any more ... the more development courses she took, the more qualified and the more she went up the pay scale. I suppose since you are in the field you know about it...but its worth a shot.

  Summer school teacher, camp teacher?  Afterschool? Pet sitting / walker?  Perhaps a part time evening position, temporarily, to pay off the credit card (tim hortons, dunkin donuts?).

I hope something comes of it. Good luck

This is a good idea, but I don't think we do this here. I will look into it!

[Katrinaquerida]

Originally Posted by TiredX2 

Is this $3000 gross or net (amount paid, or amount taken home)?  Debt outside of mortgage is considered to be "too much"/ unsustainable starting around 20% of income.  Your credit card debt alone (I don't know how much your student loan debt is) is 33% of your income.  I think you've gotten some good short term ideas, but I also encourage you to look at your long term situation: do you expect to have a rapid increase in income within the next couple years (you moving to full-time work, advancement in career, etc...)?  The general minimum payment on credit cards at this point is 2% of balance--- you're looking at $50K of credit card debt on a salary smaller than that.  You might need to do something more extreme.  I'm sorry.

Net. I realize that this is unbalanced. We are luck to have family that can help us out, etc, I am hopeful that I can go back to full time in the near future, but I realize that if not I may have to do something more long-term.

[Katrinaquerida]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy 

OT a bit but do you qualify for student loan forgiveness? Or could you find a teaching job that would qualify you for that? I know the student loans are deferred anyway but might help to not have that hanging over your head in addition to everything else!

If you still have a lot left to pay on the credit card, and you truly can't find some other way to bring in enough money, perhaps bankruptcy is something to consider. OK maybe I'm jumping the gun... I guess there are other options that are less extreme. Perhaps a debt settlement agency could help negotiate that cc debt down to something more manageable. Maybe you can roll the balance over onto a zero-interest promo credit card. Have you consulted with a debt consolidation or credit counseling company?

Tried the loan forgiveness. My earliest loan falls outside the perameters, so I wasn't eligible. boo. 

Not to the consolidation route yet, but it could happen....

[Katrinaquerida]

Originally Posted by rnra 

It sounds like you need something much more than short-term solutions (child care, weekend job, a few more hours at work, selling un-used household items, etc.) if you are going to survive.

According to what you posted, your income is $3000.  You are spending $2200 for your home--prior to home maintenance/repairs, utilities, etc.  That is 73% of what you're bringing in, which is simply unsustainable!

Can you sell the house?  It sounds like you had it custom-built, so selling the home would likely be gut-wrenching.  But, being out from under that pile of debt would be beneficial overall for the family.  Depending on the market in your area, it may also be worth considering renting the house to someone else while you move your own family into much cheaper accommodations to save and get yourselves back on your feet.

Good luck!

Selling the house is not an option at this point. 

[Katrinaquerida]

Originally Posted by zersha 

Have you considered quitting working outside the home and doing full time childcare?  Being a teacher would certainly be a draw for families.  It can seem daunting to get started with licensing, finding families, etc, but you could probably make a lot more than you currently do at your part time job, plus you'd save your own childcare expenses (you can also deduct a lot of household expenses at tax time).  I did in home childcare for several years, and it was a great way to stay home with my own kids.

This is an option, but I am involved with the local daycare center and it would be awkward to be in direct competition. 

[Katrinaquerida]

Originally Posted by zebra15 

Since you are a teacher ... I was able to make more $$ subbing than working as a 'teacher'.  I couldn't get a FT teaching position but I was able to get on the subbing roster and there was work almost every day (I was a bit particular about what classes/ages I subbed for , If I didnt care I could've worked every day).   Just something to think about.

Also can you tutor   IDK what grades you teach but people around here are always looking for reading and math tutors as well as SAT/ACT tutors and college prep stuff.

As for subbing, if you cant get on the public school list, dont forget about charter schools private schools and places like that.    Also look at 'tutoring' at places like Kumon, etc.

If I get laid off completely, this would work. Not a lot of people pay for tutors in this area, but I have done a bit of this...

[Katrinaquerida]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all your input. I do have family resources that can help out if need be, and I am hopeful for increased work in the future, but I am really just looking for a stop gap measure. I will know by spring what the next year holds, but for now I am trying to find creative solutions to a depressed rural economy! Thanks!